After spending all that money on all those players, it is rather extraordinary that Chelsea currently find themselves struggling for options and depth. Who would have expected that the Stamford Bridge player trading business, of all clubs in world football, would suddenly be in such a position?
Injuries have played a part – Chelsea were without both of their usual centre-forwards for this engaging cup tie with Brighton – but so has their January transfer window. Six senior players left the club last month, including versatile attacker Joao Felix, and those departures have now caused Chelsea a degree of short-term pain. They were toothless here.
Would Chelsea still be in the FA Cup if they had Felix in their squad? He certainly would have helped a team that was already without the injured Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu. Instead it was Brighton who boasted the stronger bench. And it was the hosts who had more attacking options to deploy.
Brighton had more attacking class, too, with Georginio Rutter producing an excellent performance between the lines of midfield and attack, and Kaoru Mitoma scoring a fine winning goal. Brighton fell behind to Cole Palmer after just five minutes but, from that point onwards, Fabian Hurzeler’s side were the better team.
These two sides meet on the south coast again on Friday, in the Premier League. Chelsea will be desperately hoping that Jackson is fit for that rematch, because Christopher Nkunku offered little in the centre-forward position. The Frenchman is regarded as more of a No 10 than a striker and, to be blunt, he did little to change that view here.
Enzo Maresca cannot have been particularly impressed with the performance of Nkunku, or indeed his other starters. Even Palmer failed to really find a foothold in the game, despite forcing the error that gave his side the early lead. As Chelsea chased an equaliser late in the game, a promising move ended when the ball simply bounced off Palmer’s back.
Chelsea have regularly plucked Brighton’s players and staff in recent years and the presence of three former Brighton players in the away side’s lineup added a layer of additional spice to the evening. As expected, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo were all heartily booed whenever the ball was under their control in the opening exchanges.
Cucurella, especially, was the target of genuine venom from both the Brighton supporters and the home team’s players. One of the biggest cheers of the first half was reserved for Brighton defender Joel Veltman, who was saluted for flying into a crunching tackle on his former team-mate and then seemingly offering to meet him in the car park later.
A performative move for the benefit of the crowd? Or a sign of genuine dislike between the two players? Only they can answer that. Either way, it further contributed to the feisty Saturday night feel of the occasion, which had started in dramatic circumstances as both teams struck within 12 minutes.
Poor Bart Verbruggen – the Brighton goalkeeper conceded seven goals to Nottingham Forest in his last outing and he could hardly have produced a worst start to this cup tie. As Palmer’s mishit cross bounced awkwardly towards him, Verbruggen succeeded only in throwing the ball into his own net.
After that seven-goal drubbing at Forest, which resulted in more than few grumbles among the Brighton fanbase, this was a dreadful opening few moments for Hurzeler and his team. Thankfully for them, though, the response was swift enough to prevent any notable unhappiness from building inside the ground.
Veltman’s cross soon found Rutter, in between the Chelsea centre-backs, and the Frenchman’s header was powerful and accurate. It was Rutter’s fifth goal in his past six appearances, making him Brighton’s top scorer for the campaign with seven overall. He almost created another before the break after a surging run down the left flank.
Rutter was the game’s best player and one piece of skill, the ball flipped over Caicedo like a circus trick, demonstrated his confidence. A few moments later, he had played a major part in Brighton’s second goal, chipping the ball towards Mitoma in the Chelsea penalty area. The Japan international controlled it with his shoulder before finishing beyond Sanchez.
It only added to Brighton’s delight that Cucurella ended up in the net, too, in his desperation to clear the ball. It was fast becoming that sort of evening for the Spaniard, who found himself blocked by blue and white shirts whenever he ventured forward.
He was not alone on that front. Chelsea threw bodies into attack but without creating much of note. Brighton had all the energy and zip. They fully deserved their victory.
10:07 PM GMT
Tariq Lamptey and Georginio Rutter speak to ITV - ‘We showed great character’
Lamptey on the victory...
“It was a great win, great win.”
On the going behind early on with the own-goal...
“These things happen and everyone rallied round and showed fighting spirit.”
Rutter on the win...
“We are very happy [I scored ] and got an assist as well so I am very happy. We showed great character.”
On Mitoma’s winner...
“He’s a special player, it was good control and a great finish.”
On bouncing back form last week’s 7-0 defeat to Forest...
“It is a good answer we were all disappointed we give this win for the fans.”
09:55 PM GMT
FULL-TIME: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
That was a perfect response to the humbling at Nottingham Forest. Brighton run out fully deserved winners. They were on the front foot against a disappointing Chelsea side.
09:54 PM GMT
93 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Brighton earn a corner and the fans cheer that almost as much as they did Mitoma’s goal. Nothing is created from it but there’s only a minute left to play...
09:53 PM GMT
91 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Two good chances for the visitors in a matter of seconds. First Madueke drives into the box and byline, his pull back is brilliantly defended by Webster before a long-shot is then well saved by Verbruggen.
09:51 PM GMT
90 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Chelsea will have four minutes in which to find this elusive equaliser.
09:50 PM GMT
90 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Tariq Lamptey is named man of the match against his former club. It’s been a fine performance after a horror show against Forest last week. Bravo.
09:49 PM GMT
88 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Change for Brighton: Welbeck makes way for Matt O’Riley.
09:48 PM GMT
87 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Brighton are playing keep-ball, they’re taking no risks and why should they....as I type that they break forward, it’s a move with promise but comes to nothing as Pedro tries to play Mitoma through.
09:45 PM GMT
84 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
The visitors have been struggled to find an outlet to break the Brighton defence down. Everything has been in front of the hosts and without a true outlet it’s been all too easy for Brighton to snuff out any hints of openings for Chelsea.
09:42 PM GMT
82 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
As this game becomes increasingly stretched - with Chelsea looking for the equaliser - you fancy Brighton might nick a third...
09:40 PM GMT
80 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Free-kick for Chelsea on the right in the final third. Good chance to put the Brighton backline under pressure. Cole Palmer (who else?) is over the ball, what can he do? well, ‘not a lot’ is the answer as the ball is delivered into the box but nothing even close to resembling a chance is created.
09:37 PM GMT
76 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Brighton still looking the more likely to score...Chelsea are struggling to keep the ball at the moment.
09:35 PM GMT
74 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
More changes for the hosts - Baleba and Rutter (who’s been brilliant) make way for Ayari and Pedro.
09:33 PM GMT
71 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Brighton have been solid at the back. Since his howler early on Verbruggen hasn’t had anything to do.
09:32 PM GMT
69 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Corner for the hosts. Can they make it count?
They very nearly do. The ball comes out to Mitoma outside the box and his shot is stopped at the second time of asking by Sanchez in the Chelsea goal.
09:29 PM GMT
Hint of a handball for the Brighton second?
09:28 PM GMT
66 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Changes for Brighton: Hinshellwood makes way for Gomez.
09:27 PM GMT
63 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
It’s the lesser-spotted Chelsea attack. This one comes down the left with ex-Brighton player and target of the pantomime boo-boys Cucurella charging towards the byline. The hosts, however, defend well. Whatever the result tonight, Brighton have clealry put in a much better performance than last week, their defence has stood firm throughout this tie.
09:22 PM GMT
Mitoma dinks Brighton ahead
09:22 PM GMT
60 mins: Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
Chelsea haven’t really been at the races since the break. The hosts are playing with a higher tempo and just look more on it at the moment.
09:18 PM GMT
GOAL!
Brighton 2 Chelsea 1
And the hosts’ dominance is translated into a deserved lead. Mitoma applies a cute finish after a bit of pinball in the box.
Once again Brighton dominate possession, they go down the left with Mitoma, before the ball is worked into the middle. The ball ultimately breaks for the Japanese international who flicks the ball past the on-rushing Sanchez. Well-worked goal, and well-deserved lead.
09:17 PM GMT
55 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Minteh does well on the right before finding Veltman. This time his cross is well defended by the visitors who have not started this half well, the hosts are half a yard ahead of them to everything.
The best player on the pitch tonight has been Brighton’s Georginio Rutter, who has just beaten Moises Caicedo with a lovely piece of skill in midfield. Rutter’s first-half header means he has scored five goals in his last six games, and he is now Brighton’s top scorer this season with seven goals.
09:15 PM GMT
52 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
You have to admire the commitment and persistence of football fans...yep, the Brighton supporters are still booing Cucurella, Caicedo and Sanchez every opportunity they get. Bravo to the pantomime flavour added to a match which as been a bit spicy.
09:12 PM GMT
50 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Bit of pressure from the hosts only takes the form of some neat passing on the edge of the Chelsea box. This is a decent game to watch, but it must be said that both keepers haven’t had much to do...
09:10 PM GMT
47 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Neto, who looks fine after needing treatment in the first-half, cuts inside from the right before unleashing a shot that is well blocked. That’s the first chance of the second 45.
09:05 PM GMT
45 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
They’re back under way at Brighton. And it’s no shock to learn that Dunk (who went down twice in the first-half) hasn’t come back out. He’s replaced by Lewis Webster.
08:58 PM GMT
Rutter heads home
How Brighton bounced back.
08:51 PM GMT
Fesity fun on the south coast
Brighton were probably the better side for much of that first half, with Rutter in particular enjoying his evening so far. Overall it’s an engaging and largely even game, though. It’s all quite good fun.
Cucurella is playing the role of pantomime villain: one of the biggest cheers of the night was when Veltman thumped into him near the touchline.
A performative move for the benefit of the crowd? Or a sign of genuine dislike between the two players? Only Veltman can answer that question. Either way, it further contributed to the feisty Saturday night feel of the occasion
08:50 PM GMT
48 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
That’s the first 45 over with - even-stevens really. Brighton responded really well after going behind due to that own-goal horror show.
08:48 PM GMT
45 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Dunk is now back on...you suspect he’ll be looked at in detail by the medics during the break.
08:47 PM GMT
44 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
There will be three minutes added time.
08:45 PM GMT
41 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Decent chance for the hosts as Rutter gets in behind the Chelsea defence. He’s in the inside-left channel before passing the ball across the penalty box, alas no team-mate is there to get on the end of it.
08:42 PM GMT
38 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
The game has lost a bit of momentum - injureies tend to do that AND as I type those words Minteh and Dunk are both down for the hosts. It looks as though the former is OK, but Dunk may well have to go off. Not ideal for Brighton. Indeed the skipper does trundle off, he’s replaced by...no one just yet. For a while it’s 11 vs 10.
08:40 PM GMT
35 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
It’s now the turn of a Chelsea player to look hurt. It’s Neto who looks as though he’s pulled something. Mitoma dribbled past him with ease and that’s because Neto felt something and from then on was as much use as a mannequin. There’s another break in play while the Portuguese is seen to. After a while, he hobbles back on.
08:37 PM GMT
33 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Lewis Dunk is down. There’s a pause in play, Brighton need him to stay on. After a few moments he signals to the bench that he’s OK...phew (from a Brighton perspective).
08:34 PM GMT
30 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Game is opening up now. Nkunku looks through on goal as he makes his presence felt, he plays a deft volleyed pass to Palmer on the right whose first-time header finds the roof of the net. It’s one of those matches where, I suspect, both sides will be happy with how they’re playing and the current scoreline.
08:32 PM GMT
28 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Caicedo is caught out inside his own half thanks to great closing down from three Brighton boys. The former Brighton player makes amends by winning the ball back well.
08:30 PM GMT
25 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
A lot of action in the midfield but neither side is translating that into clear-cut chances.
As I type that Veltman is shown the first yellow card for a tasty challenge on Cucurella, the Brighton fans enjoyed that. As Sam Dean says, there is a spicy atmostphere brewing at the moment.
Free-kick to Chelsea. Palmer’s delivery doesn’t beat the first man but has earned his side a corner. That set-piece is also easily dealt with by the hosts.
08:25 PM GMT
Spicy atmosphere
What an excellent start to this match. Chalobah had started well in Chelsea’s defence but he has totally lost track of Rutter there. Really spicy atmosphere at the Amex.
08:22 PM GMT
20 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Lamptey gets inside Gusto, but he cannot make the nuisance he causes count. Chelsea ultimately ending up with a free-kick inside their own half.
08:20 PM GMT
17 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Very even game at the moment, Brighton seeing more of the ball than Chelsea and after that horror start they are more than growing into this match.
08:17 PM GMT
Worst own goal you’ll see this year?
08:16 PM GMT
13 mins: Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Better from Brighton who now have a spring in their step thanks to that equaliser. We have a game on our hands - hurrah!
08:13 PM GMT
GOAL!
Brighton 1 Chelsea 1
Just the response they wanted and it’s a great header from Rutter to get the hosts level. Chelsea defend the initial attack but the ball comes back in first time from Veltman proves too tough to deal with and Rutter finishes well. That was a peach of a cross from Veltman - a buffet ball for any striker ‘help yourself’.
08:12 PM GMT
8 mins: Brighton 0 Chelsea 1
To paraphrase Basil Fawlty I would have a degree in ‘stating the bleedin’ obvious’ when I write - that’s just the start Brighton neither wanted nor needed.
That was a horror show from Verbruggen. But the way the entire side defended the corner left a lot to be desired...
That was so calamitous by Verbruggen that Palmer looked a little embarrassed to have scored it. The Chelsea playmaker hardly celebrated at all.
Yes, it’s bouncing horribly at the Brighton goalkeeper. But that is still a shocker, I’m afraid.
08:09 PM GMT
GOAL!
Brighton 0 Chelsea 1
Oh dear, Brighton fans and Verbruggen look away now. From the set-piece the visitors are gifted the freedom of the south coast, they go short and across the 18-yard box, none of the Chelsea players closed down. It’s all too easy before Palmer is found on the left. His speculative volleyed cross is then turned into his own net by the Brighton keeper who is under no real pressure to speak of...ouch.
08:06 PM GMT
5 mins: Brighton 0 Chelsea 0
Neto breaks at pace but blots his copybook by passing behind Sancho on the left. Chelsea maintain the attack, however, and Palmer’s long shot his tipped over by Verbruggen for a corner.
08:05 PM GMT
4 mins: Brighton 0 Chelsea 0
Plenty of boooooos for the Brighton old boys, Cucurella, Caicedo, and Sanchez. The south-coast club got plenty of cash for them so swings and roundabouts etc...
No real action to speak of so far.
08:02 PM GMT
2 mins: Brighton 0 Chelsea 0
You get the feeling Brighton need a fast start here after last week’s nightmare in Nottingham. On paper this is a strong Chelsea XI, so another reason for the hosts to start on the front foot.
08:01 PM GMT
1 min: Brighton 0 Chelsea 0
They’re under way on the south coast. The hosts are in their well-known (not tempted to write ‘famous’) blue and white stripes, and the visitors are in their away, funereal black.
07:56 PM GMT
The two teams are in the tunnel
So we’re only moments away from kick-off.
07:53 PM GMT
Brighton...
...is a refreshing club - there’s no disconnect between owner, Tony Bloom, and fans. They’ve got to where they are thanks to brilliant management and through it being a well-run club rather than splashing the cash. All in all, when it’s so easy to be cynical about modern-day football, Brighton are a good, refreshing story, as the interviews with the Brighton fans, currently being shown on ITV’s coverage, attest to.
07:46 PM GMT
Through the academy
07:40 PM GMT
This child still thinks the FA Cup is worth getting excited about
07:36 PM GMT
Enzo Maresca speaks to ITV - ‘We always pick a strong side’
On the strong starting XI...
“We always try to go with a strong team. We have a strong squad and always try to go with a strong team.”
On Nicholas Jackson not being in the squad...
“Not a big injury and needs some days off. Hopefully he’s OK for next match.”
On Pedro Neto’s fine form...
“Neto was very good against West Ham. We know him very well, he can give us a lot.”
07:11 PM GMT
Here are those teams in goold, old-fashioned black and white
BRIGHTON XI TO FACE CHELSEA: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Baleba, Rutter, Minteh, Welbeck. Subs: Webster, Gruda, Pedro, Adingra, Cashin, Gomez, Ayari, O’Riley, McGill.
Just the one change from the team embarrassed by Nottingham Forest last Saturday. Carlos Baleba replaces Joao Pedro, who drops to the bench. New signing Eiran Cashin is on the subs bench.
CHELSEA XI TO FACE BRIGHTON: Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Nkunku. Subs: Jorgensen, Colwill, Anselmino, Acheampong, Samuels-Smith, Amougou, Fernandez, George, Madueke.
Six changes for the visitors but Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez start with Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall coming in. Deadline-day signing Mathis Amouogu is on the bench.
07:02 PM GMT
The Brighton XI is in
07:01 PM GMT
Here’s the Chelsea XI
06:14 PM GMT
Stage is set
03:52 PM GMT
Brighton out to ‘add meaning’ to season
Brighton head into this match on the back of a humiliating 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Yes, the south-coast club have a lot of injuries and yes, there is a sense that that scoreline and result will prove to be somewhat of an anomaly, but there’s little doubt that this evening’s FA Cup tie at home to Chelsea has taken on extra importance.
That is something not lost on Fabian Hurzeler.
The Brighton manager has insisted he is not using the crowded physio room as an excuse for the thrashing at Forest and instead has told his players to go out and impress an expectant home crowd.
“I know the statistics that we are the club with the most injuries, but for me it’s important that we accept it because it’s part of business. We don’t want to make it an excuse and that’s how I will handle it in the future also,” Hurseler said.
“We analysed the [defeat at Nottingham Forest]. We were honest with each other. We had a lot of individual talks. In these moments, I think it’s important to analyse and find the right solutions so that you don’t overreact. We still think we are on a good path and one game shouldn’t define our season or our whole team.”
Keen to put the defeat to the back of the players’ minds the Brighton manager said he expects a different, more positive side to take on the west Londoners today.
”[The players have] showed great intensity in training. We were honest that our standards weren’t high enough and we weren’t demanding enough from each other. We have said that we need to commit now and be a team that is difficult to beat.”
Keen to add “meaning” to a season that is rapidly petering out into one where the term “midtable mediocrity” dominates, Hurzeler says the FA Cup presents “a chance to win a title”.
Stay here to find out whether he and his team can keep that dream alive and put last week’s humbling firmly in the shadows.
